Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser., 1887-02-25

aud organized for the sole purpose Of
securing individual and social we'll
being.
But, differing from this chiefly in
the nature of the objects which it con-
templates, there is another association
of at last equal, it not greater, import
ance. Whatever NAV be the thought
of individu Is, here and there, in the
great heart Of humanity there is an
abiding ,nviction that mans destiny
is not confined to the present world,
but that it reaches beyond the bounds
Of time and sense" and comprehends
eternity in its iIImitable scope; and,
further. that his welfare in the great
hereafter depends upon his fealty to
right, his fidelity to duty, and the dill
igent cultivation Of his moral and
spiritual faculties. in the brief space
allotted to him here. But to meet
these requirements successfully, in
spite of the obstacles IN his way, he
feels the need of sympathy in his per
plexities, help in his weakness, and
guidance in his ignorapce. Left alone,
the accumulating forces in opposition
will be likely to overw helm him in the
un quail struggle. Hence, he seeks
the company OF those who are united
by the same feelings, animated by the
same spirit. and dominated by the
same purpose; and. together, they form
an association based upon the truth
that is given them to understand, and
designed to furnish the assistance
which. in conjunction with the Divine
Favor. will qualify the individual to
escape the domination of sin, and rise
to q higher and better life. This is
his church, the exponent of his faith,
the symbol of his hope, and the visi-
ible representative of all that is pur-
est in his desires, and MODEST in his
aspirations.
These two. his government and his
church. differing in purpose. yet mu-
tuallv helpful and sustaining when or
ganized and administered according to
their original design, seem to be prim-
ary and fundamental requirements Of
mans condition, contemplating, as
they respectively do, adequate provis-
ion for his temporal, as we'll as his
eternal. interests Itis not surprising,
therefore, that they should have re,
ceived degree Of atten propor
tionate To their incalculable import
ance. The resources of the talented,
the Ingenuity Of the acute, and the
learning of the profound, have been
lavlshly expended in the attention
- :, 60. - ..ha hasis nr .hair anthaE.lz.
determin" the extent of their powers,
and establish the methods of their ad.
minis'ration.-with the general result,
1t must be admitted, Of magnifying
the association Mt the expense Of the
individual, and exalting the govern
ment at the expense Of the individual.
and at the cost Of the rights and lib
ertv of the subject.
Ii will be seen, therefore, that the
principle OF association, in its concrete
to human wants, must be
subjected u some proper checks and
if it would not be permit
tcd to defeat the very purpose Of its
adoption As tie servant and minis
ter of intelligent views respecting its
appropriate functions, the results
which it secures are altogether help
ful and beneticent; but when it reach
es beyond and usurps the prerogatives
Of an absolute master. the chains which
it forges, and the evils which it in
aicts, are we'll nigh intolerable.
Wise men tell us that the worlds
which constitute the solar system
and, BY inference, the worlds which
all other systems in the uni
verst-are held in their appointed or
bits. and perform their accustomed
revolutions, through the joint action
Of two opposite and an'agoniStic forces.
BY the one. acting alone, they would
be driven crashing upon their center,
to meet inevitable rain; by the other,
they would be whirIed from their
courses, and sent wandering through
the trackleSs void. in hopeless and
eternal confusion; and yet by the mu
tual and Simultaneous action of the
two, each influencing and modifying
the other, 'all the infinite host of hea
ven" are preserved in their proper re-
lations, aud the sublime harmony of
the universe maintained.
So. in the institution and organiza-
ton OF that primary association which |
takes the form OF government, there !
are tao principl 5, ,Sonew hat analogous
10 these, which must b, taken into the
account, and allowed their due weight
and innuenc.. The associate princi
pie. which would merge all power, and
all right, IN the govern-
lneut. must be II. teracted and modi
lied by that opp site prlncipl', which.
has regard to the natural rights OF
man as an independent b ing. Either,
by itself, is not only unsafe, but de
structise. The one would depresS the
that the ASSOCIATION may
DC all III all the other would stra'ten
the association. that the individual
may lie absolutely free. The one is
lespotism; the other anarchy. But
the two, and allowing each
its legitimate Offset upon the other, the
resultant of their joint action will be
) en- in the harmonious adjustment
of all conflicting claims. on the basis
of mutual concession. The govern
lnent will seek the welfare of the So
ciety, committed to its charge, by pro
noting the interests, protecting the
rights, and guarding the privileges of
each individual part, while the indi-
vidual, in turn, will cheerfnlly accord
the power necessary for the purpose.
This is all that the government Can
claim, and all that the sub
iect can properly concele. For, not
withstandl"g the dogmatism of those
who advocate 1.-The divine right, and
l. Il hf E,I tbaI Ir